Preparing for your journey

Travelling to a different country seems challenging and before you arrive in any foreign country, you will need to know and be fully prepared by securing some important information that will make your trip as smooth as possible. It is pertinent for you to make sure you have got everything organized with sufficient time to spare before you leave home.

The university should have sent you some information and guides ahead of your journey, read the information carefully, because the information will immensely help your pre-departure preparation.

Here are some tips to ensure that you have a smooth journey and beginning in USIM:

Travel Plans:

Ensure you have your student entry clearance a.k.a VAL with Single Entry Visa before traveling into Malaysia. Otherwise you will be denied entry at the airport.

You should know when to arrive for admission (for undergraduate/postgraduate by course work programmes are every February & September)

Plan your journey from your point of entry up to your final destination.

Plan to arrive on a weekday (Monday to Friday) and during office hours. Otherwise ensure that you have made the necessary accommodation arrangements

It is important to arrive on time to participate in USIM’s welcome and orientation programme, which helps international students to quickly settle down and prepare for their studies.

Please inform the USIM personnel at least five working days ahead of your departure from your country. Contact:

Undergraduates: Ms Mazlina email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or USIM Student Ambassador

Postgraduates: Miss Sakeenah Shahrome, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Accommodation

It is best to make accommodation arrangements (temporary or permanent) prior to your arrival.

Accommodation is available for first year undergraduate students. Contact Ms Mazlina email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details and fees.

Documents required for your journey

Certain documents are needed when you arrive at the airport in Malaysia , where you will be interview by immigration and health officials. It is therefore important that, you fully prepared and bring with you the following documents:

Valid international passport, with a student visa or Malaysia entry clearance .

Air ticket (for flight).

Vaccination certificates (yellow card).

X - ray report.

Letter of acceptance from your place of study (admission letter).

Documentary evidence that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees and accommodate yourself while studying (recent bank statements, proof of scholarship or sponsor’s letter).

A list of what you are carrying in your luggage in case you have to make an insurance claim.

Any prescribed drugs or medicine you are taking, plus a letter from your doctor .

Address, telephone number and travel instructions to your final destination .

Note: Make sure you keep the above documents and the following in your hand luggage

Financial Matters

Your student visa DOES NOT allow you to work in Malaysia

Ensure that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your tuition fees during your study period

Have sufficient Malaysian Ringgit (RM300 a day for food and hotel) at hand upon arrival to ensure that you do not face financial problems during the transition period before you get settled in to cover registration, bond, tuition, transports and other daily up keep.

It is also likely that you will have to pay a deposit for your accommodation before you move in. This is normally the equivalent of one month’s rent bu t it can be substantially more, depending on the type of accommodation you are renting.

Clothing

Appropriate clothing for a hot and humid weather

It is worth bringing items of your national dress to wear at social events, and photographs of family and home may be of interest to new friends who would like to learn about other cultures.

Information about luggage

You will have a free baggage allowance which will be shown on your air ticket; this is usually from 20kg with a restricted weight of 32kg per single item of luggage. Only essential personal possessions may be brought in addition to research materials. You may be charged for excess baggage if you exceed the baggage allowance. You should also make a list of everything you bring. You should be aware that some food, plant and medicines are made from endangered species and are not allowed by immigration and customs. Please check with your airlines.

Information about travel Insurance

It is advisable for every international student to always subscribe to travel insurance that covers your journey to Malaysia and for the duration of your stay. This should cover delays, medical emergencies and the cost of replacing any belongings in case of lost /missed on your journey.

Information about Personal Security

Generally Malaysia is a safe place to be, but unfortunate case may arise, then it is advisable to apply precautions. For example:

Always carry your money in an inside /inner pocket, not in your back pocket or the out er pockets of coats or jackets and i f you want to leave your coat or jacket anywhere, then take your money with you.

And if you carry a handbag , keep it by you and do no t leave it unattended, even for short periods.

Do no t carry large amounts of cash with you, just the little to meet your day - to - day needs.

Avoid leaving luggage, bags or briefcases in waiting rooms, on railway platforms or on luggage racks where you can no t see them.

It’s much safer to carry valuables like cameras, radios and computers with you, and again, make a note of their serial numbers.

Take care of your mobile phone and try to avoid using it in crowded places or when you a re walking along busy streets.

If your phone is stolen, report it and give your number to the network operator and the police to minimise the chance of thieves using it.

Finally, take special care of your passport, tickets and other personal documents.

Arrival into Malaysia (KLIA OR KLIA 2)

Most international students travel by air and your first sight of Malaysia is likely to be one of Malaysian International airport s . So, i f you are travelling into Malaysia by air you will usually arrive at either KLIA or KLIA 2 airports, all of which are convenient for you and from there, you can take a cab or bus to (USIM) Nilai. At first sight an airport can appear a difficult and confusing place, but if you follow the steps below, getting through it is actually quite easy. These are the steps you must take:

Follow the sign for ‘Arrivals’ unless you are transferring to another plane at the same airport.

‘Arrivals’ will take you to passport control.

As you approach passport control you will see electronic screens; these will show you which zone you will need to go through.

All passengers must go through the immigration zone dealing with their flight.

The immigration officer will want to see: that you r passport is up to date, that your documents are in order, your landing card from the plane, and, if required, a valid visa.

The immigration officer must also be satisfied that you are eligible to come in.

If you do not require prior entry clearance or a visa, you will also need to show a letter of acceptance as a student from USIM and proof that you are able to pay for your course and living expenses without working in the Malaysia, for example, bank statements for the last three months and/or a sponsor’s letter.

The immigration officer s need to be satisfied that you meet the immigration rules for students and that you intend to leave Malaysia at the end of your studies.

Another part of the immigration process is health control : you might be asked to under go a brief, routine health check by the airport doctor, which may include an X - ray as part of a short medical examination. The health check will take place in a separate room. Afterwards you will have to return to immigration control.

As long as your documents are in order, you should pass through immigration smoothly, but if you need any help, kindly contact the USIM personnel through the on your admission letter.